Methods of operating a mechanism and systems related therewith

• US 9,623,560 B1
• Filed: 11/26/2014
• Issued: 04/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vecna Robotics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Daniel Theobald
• Inventors: Theobald, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Sample, Jonathan L
• Application Number:
  US14/554,309
• Time in Patent Office: 874 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/1676 Avoiding collision or forbidden zones
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/40202 Human robot coexistence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/01 Mobile robot
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/46 Sensing device

Abstract

Methods and systems for operating at least one entity are provided. In one method, at least one entity is provided for operation in at least one area, where the area includes at least one human. Information is gathered regarding the human, where the information includes a location of at least one body portion of the human. It is determined whether or not the entity will contact the body portion of the human. The method also includes operating the entity to avoid contacting the body portion of the human so that the human is at least more likely to be safe from contact with the entity.

Claims

1. A method of operating a mobile robot comprising:

providing a mobile robot capable of locomotion for operation in an area along with at least one human, the mobile robot at least including a control device and a sensor system wherein the mobile robot is a fully autonomous robot that provides its own locomotion and operates independently within an area without interference from any humans, wherein the mobile robot further includes an arm member and the control device operates both the mobile robot and the arm member to avoid contacting the appendage of the human including revising the operation of both the mobile robot and the arm member to avoid contacting the appendage while continuing to enable the mobile robot and the arm member to operate as desired and accomplish one or more tasks, the arm member further including components that provide passive compliance to the arm member if contact is made between the arm member and a human, an appendage of a human or an item and the arm member provides a desired amount of give or flexibility to reduce or eliminate any injury to a human or damage to an item;

operating the mobile robot via the control device within the area to at least accomplish one or more tasks;

gathering information via the sensor system regarding the location of at least one appendage of the human;

determining via the control device whether the mobile robot will contact the appendage of the human as the mobile robot is moving within the area to accomplish its task; and

operating the mobile robot via the control device to avoid contacting the appendage of the human including revising the operation or movement of the mobile robot if needed to avoid contacting the appendage while continuing to enable the mobile robot to operate as desired and accomplish one or more tasks.